POUND FOR POUND THE BEST IN BOXING

NOTES & GREATEST PUERTO RICAN FIGHTERS EVER!

IT WAS A PUERTO RICAN WEEKEND New York, NY- After a weekend where Puerto Rico got a lot of recognition in N.Y, first let me congratulate Joe Cortez, a famous Puerto Rican referee who we all know him by his well-known phrase, “I’m Fair, But I’m Firm” for being inducted to the Hall of Fame that that also they gave fellow Hall of Famer Wilfred Benitez some well deserved recognition. Team P.R. fought Friday and Saturday in NYC’s Roseland Ballroom and finishing with the Puerto Rican day Parade.

TEDDY ATLAS ON PUERTO RICAN GREATS
On Friday night, ESPN 2′S Teddy Atlas offered his opinion on the five best five fighters from the island country, which in my opinion was almost perfect as he mentioned Pedro Montanez, AKA “The Champion Without A Belt.” I’ll talk more about him later. Here is Teddy’s list beginning with Carlos Ortiz Pedro Montanez, Wilfredo Gomez, Wilfred Benitez, and Felix Trinidad. Also on Showtime two months ago when Juan Manuel Lopez lost his belt against Orlando Salido they also did a poll which in my opinion was way off in Felix Trinidad, Miguel Cotto, Wilfredo Gomez, Wilfred Benitez, and Carlos Ortiz. All were great but in the wrong order so here is my top-ten list that included one tie.

LARRY MERCHANT CALLED P.R “THE CAPITAL OF BOXING”

1] Wilfredo ”Bazooka” Gomez (44-3-1, 42 KOs) Born in Las Monjas San Juan P.R (he is the island’s second three-time world champion at 122, 126, & 130 lbs., held the super bantamweight (122) title for six years and defended it 17 times, all by knockout which is still (and probably will always be) a record in that weight class. Fatter than two super bantamweights today, Wilfredo is still oved by and idolized by many. When he fought you knew there was going to be action. Biggest moment I thought was his KO 5 of then unbeaten bantamweight (118) champ Carlos Zarate (66-4, 63 KOs), Worst moment was the beating he took from Salvador Sanchez (44-1-1, 32KOs).

2] Carlos Ortiz. Born in Ponce, he went (61-7-1, 30 KOs) in a career that spanned from from 1955-1972. Ortiz was the second island champion in 30 years, the first being Sixto Escobar. He also became the first from P.R to win three titles. He fought all-time greats like Joe Brown (116-47-13, 53 KOs), Ismael Laguna (65-9-1, 37KOs), and Filipino legend Gabriel “Flash” Elorde (89-27-2, 33 KOs).

3] Wilfred “The Radar” Benitez. Born in New York, Wilfred was 53-8-1, 31 KOs). He holds the record for the youngest champion ever at the age of 17, the first three division world title (140, 147, 154) winner, and he accomplished this all by the age of 22. But in the process of making records, today he mentally ill, another of boxing sad stories. Biggest moment winning title at 17 by UD 15 over Antonio “Kid Pambele” Cervantes (91-12-3, 45 KOs). Worst moment was not training (two weeks?) to fight and lose TKO 15 to “Sugar Ray Leonard” (36-3-1, 25 KOs).

4] Felix ‘Tito’ Trinidad was born in Toa Alta (44-3-1, 42 KOs) Champion at 147, 154, & 160. my problem with Tito never got his “groove” back after losing to Bernard Hopkins. After doing some comparing I used to be one who thought Tito should be higher on the list, but he would have had problems with defensive wizard Benitez at 147 or 154.
Gomez and Ortiz after their first loses they got back on top and for me that say a lot of the champion. Biggest Moment 12UD over The Golden Boy Oscar De La Hoya (39-6, 30 KOs), Worst Moment getting shutout and then stopped by Bernard Hopkins (52-5-2, 32 KOs)

5] Pedro “The Little Bull Of Cayey” Montanez, (91-8-4, 50KOs) Born in Cayey P.R idied April 1914 and passed in June 1996. Is considered by Ring Magazine as one of history most prolific KO winners, also was featured on a Ring cover in 1937, this in addition to winning 88 fights in a row. Fought for the title three times, twice against Henry Armstrong (149-21-10, 101 KOs) and 1 with Lou Ambers (91-8-7, 28KOs). Much loved here there is a Pedro Montanez Stadium in his hometown.

ON TUESDAY, THE SECOND HALF OF MY TOP TEN!

Manny Caballero

COMMENTS

1. You value what Teddy Atlas says? This guy is a loser! he is a LEGEND in his own MIND. He can’t even pick a winner correctly everytime he annotate fights.
     Benny on June 13th, 2011 at 12:54 AM
2. Good stuff Manny; glad to see you have my all-time favorite ‘El Radar’ Benitez at number three. Looking forward to seeing who rounds out your top ten before making any final comments. Thanks for acknowledging the great champions that have been produced by the tiny, but beautiful island of Puerto Rico.
     Sammy Perez on June 13th, 2011 at 9:03 AM
3. Just because you can’t pick the winner every time doesn’t mean you know nothing about boxing. Teddy Atlas has already forgotten more about the sweet science than you will ever know in your whole life.
   boricua on June 15th, 2011 at 8: